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Bert Lahr Lyrics

The lyrics to Bert Lahr's song "We're Off to See the Wizard" are from the classic 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz," and serve as the starting point for Dorothy and her friends' journey to find the all-powerful Wizard in the mythical land of Oz. The song begins with the iconic phrase "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," which leads the way to the Wizard's castle. Lahr's character in the movie, the Cowardly Lion, joins Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man as they sing about their excitement to meet the Wizard and ask for his help. The song develops a sense of urgency as they sing "We hear he is a whiz of a wiz, if ever a wiz there was," emphasizing the Wizard's importance to their quest. The repetition of the phrase "Because of the wonderful things he does" further amplifies the group's anticipation, highlighting the magic and power associated with the Wizard.

The song's use of repetition is a key aspect to its memorable quality, with 'follow the yellow brick road' and 'because, because, because' being repeated multiple times throughout the tracks 1:42 length. The use of rhyme is also a prominent feature, maintaining a sing-song like quality that is typical of much of musical scores. The melody of the song, composed by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, is simple and catchy, complementing the film's fantastical and whimsical tone. Incidentally, it was the only song performed by Bert Lahr in the movie, who was also known for his work in theater and vaudeville.

The song's legacy is impressive, even six decades after its original release, with its references being utilized frequently in popular media - for example, Family Guy did a parody using this song in one of their episodes. As an iconic piece of Hollywood history, "We're Off to See the Wizard" has garnered a cult following, with covers and remixes of the song being produced over the years. The phrase "follow the yellow brick road" has also permeated pop culture, being referenced in many places from video games to songs, tv shows and movies.

In terms of the chords, the song primarily follows a simple two-chord pattern (F and C7) throughout the verses, before switching to a more complex four-chord progression (F, C, Gm, D7) during the bridge. The song is primarily upbeat and joyful, fitting in perfectly with the rest of the film's musical score.

Chords:
Verse: F - C7 - F - C7 - F - C7 - F - C7
Bridge: F - C - Gm - D7 - Gm - C7 - F - C7